by S. M. Butler
“Reganne?”
Leaning down, she pressed her lips to his. His arms came around her, strong and safe, pulling her closer. With a soft sigh she parted her lips beneath the gentle nudging of his. He took over the kiss, tasting and exploring. Butterflies set flight in her belly when his calloused hands slipped under her tank top and rasped against her lower back.
She rubbed against the erection pressing into her. Gasped when he pushed back. His lips left hers to trail down her neck. Her head fell back, allowing him more access.
Against the pulse pounding in her throat he murmured, “Are you sure about this?”
A shudder worked its way through her. Never had she been more sure of anything in her life. “Yes.”
With a low growl he sat up, then rose to his feet, bringing her with him. She wrapped her legs around his waist, kissing his neck. He tasted like the ocean, salty and pure male. A heady combination.
God, he smelled good. Felt good. Carried her like she weighed nothing more than a feather. That turned her on almost as much as feeling him hot and hard against her. Anticipation zinged through her veins as Grey carried her up to her loft bedroom, kissing her deeper with each step.
By time they reached her bed she was so hot for him she could barely breathe. He lowered her to the bed, following her down. The weight of him pressing her into the mattress made her breath catch. She’d definitely made the right decision and would never regret it. No matter what happened between her and Grey.
*
Grey watched Reganne pull off her spaghetti strapped tank top, then shimmy her shorts down her legs and toss them aside. They’d lit a couple candles, the flames causing a soft glow on her beautiful skin. He stood at the foot of the bed, drinking her in. She was the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen. Perfect in every way.
“Are you going to stand there all night or are you going to remove those clothes?” She bit her lip.
He grinned, grabbed his t-shirt behind his neck and shucked it. Followed by his shorts. Reganne sent him an appreciative smile, making his blood boil. The woman turned him inside out with a simple smile.
Sliding his hands up her shapely legs, loving the feel of her skin beneath his touch, he slowly lowered himself over her. Her arms immediately circled his waist, spanning his back. He lowered his head and kissed her, their tongues doing a mating dance as old as time. It took everything he had not to plunge inside her.
When she rubbed against him he groaned. “Condom.”
She pulled back. “Oh, God, please tell me you have one.”
“I have two.” He grinned, reaching for his wallet. Packet in hand he tore it open.
“Let me.” Reganne took it from him.
He watched the most beautiful woman roll the condom on him, barely holding himself in check.
When she finished she lay back, holding her arms out to him. He went willingly. Kissing her, he entered her slowly, absorbing the way she stretched to fit him, closed around him so hot and tight.
Reganne moaned, her fingers digging into his shoulders, urging him deeper. Their bodies synced in a rhythm that took him to the brink.
When he could hold back no more he took them over the edge, plunging deep, feeling her clench around him. Reganne cried out, pulling him closer.
Spent, satiated, he collapsed on his elbows, kissing her slow. Things stirred in his chest he didn’t want to identify just yet. Although, deep down he knew he’d fallen for this sexy pediatrician. Hell, he’d fallen hard at the party.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured against her lips.
She smiled, soft and pretty. “You said you had two condoms, right?”
He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
Her hips rocked against him. “Good. Because I’m not done with you yet, sailor.”
Laughing, he pulled her close. Never wanting to let her go.
*
The next morning the alarm on Reganne’s phone woke him up. Reganne groaned and reached over him to turn it off, leaving her arm draped across his chest.
“Is it really time to get up already?” she muttered.
Grey chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Power’s back on. You have time to catch a shower first.”
Her head lifted off his shoulder. “Want to join me?”
His turn to groan. “Love to, but we used all my condoms last night.”
“We can do other things.”
Damn, he loved this woman.
Whoa.
The thought bounced around his head a few times before he came to realize it really didn’t scare him as much as he expected.
He kissed her, loving the way she responded. “If I could trust myself to leave it at that, I’d run after you.” He nibbled her lower lip. “But, honey, if I get you naked in the shower right now I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself.”
Her smile almost made him change his mind. Instead, he nudged her out of bed, enjoying the sight of her gorgeous, naked body as she walked toward the adjoining bathroom.
She cast a glance over her shoulder. “One last chance, sailor.”
He groaned. “I’ll make the coffee, vixen.”
With a laugh she disappeared into the bathroom. He got up, dressed, and went downstairs to start a pot before he did something he might regret and joined her.
The hold this woman had on him should have sent him running. After their talk about his mom some of the burden he’d carried for years had begun to lift. Replaced with guilt that he might have been able to do something to help her, but he could manage that. Hindsight was twenty/twenty. Couldn’t change the past, but he could change the future.
After finding the coffee, he scooped it into the pot. Was he insane? Thinking about marriage. Something he’d sworn never to do.
Ah, God. He had it bad.
He liked his life. Looked forward to going to the cabin alone after deployments. Liked no-strings-attached sex.
Or so he’d thought. Spending his life sleeping next to the same woman sounded pretty damn good. Especially a sexy redheaded pediatrician who made him want things he’d vowed never to.
His cell vibrated. His XO, commanding officer. Time to go back to work. He took the call, which lasted only seconds. After disconnecting, he finished making the coffee and leaned against the counter while it brewed.
They were being called in for training. O-six-hundred tomorrow. The familiar energy that always filled him when called to work flowed through his veins. Except this time unease followed. What about Reganne? Her ex was still out there and presented a threat. He wouldn’t be here to protect her. And if something happened to her while he was away he’d never forgive himself.
He would talk to Donovan and see if a couple of his brothers could keep an eye on her until he could be here to do it himself. They all rotated shifts at the restaurant so it shouldn’t be a problem. The Demarcos were a loyal family. He had no doubt the brothers would help out. He wouldn’t be able to train without distraction if they didn’t.
Grey scrubbed a hand down his face.
“Everything okay?”
At the sound of Reganne’s voice he dropped his hand and looked up to see her standing a few feet away. Dressed in form-fitting skirt and sheer blouse, her hair pulled back in a professional-looking ponytail. She looked every inch the professional and he fell even more.
“Team Five has been called in for training.”
“Oh. All right. What exactly does that mean?”
The coffee pot signaled the end of the brewing cycle. He turned and poured two cups full. When he turned Reganne sat at the island separating the living room from the kitchen. He set a cup in front of her.
“It means my leave is over. I have to report at six in the morning.”
She wrapped her hands around her cup, staring at it. “Okay.”
“I wish I could tell you more.”
“I understand. It’s like patient confidentiality. You can’t talk about it.”
He hadn’t thought about it tha
t way, but, yeah, she did get it. “I’m going to talk to Donovan and have his brothers keep an eye on you.”
Her chin lifted. “That isn’t necessary. I can take care of myself, Grey. I’m not afraid of being alone.”
His chest constricted. The key to making it as a SEALs wife was the ability to spend weeks to months alone. Clearly, she was the perfect woman.
“Until your ex is out of the picture I’m not leaving you unprotected.”
Something crossed her face before she looked away. Softly, she said, “I can’t tell you what that means to me.”
Grey rounded the counter and cupped her chin, lifting until their gazes met. “I will always protect you.”
Tears filled her eyes and he knew he would never let this woman go. He pulled her into his arms and she hugged him tight.
The tears didn’t fall, but she held on longer than expected. Strong didn’t begin to describe her. She’d been through hell with her ex and lived to tell about it. Now her ex was back and stalking her and she still found the courage to go on.
He would be proud to have her at his side.
She pulled away. “I really should get to work. My first patient arrives in fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll drive you.”
This time she didn’t argue. Just nodded and stood. She grabbed an apple from the fruit basket and her purse.
They walked out to his truck, and he did a quick scan of the area to make sure no one waited in hiding. The short drive passed in silence.
He parked in front of the office. “What time should I pick you up?”
“Five-thirty.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
He waved to her, waiting until she stepped inside the office to drive away. Instead of going home he headed for Demarco’s Italian Café and Restaurant.
Chapter Ten
‡
Reganne breezed through her day, treating patients, barely able to keep a smile off her face. She was in love. This time it felt real. True. After last night she had no doubt she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Grey. It was crazy, rash, and made her giddy with excitement. She’d never acted this way with Carsen. Truth that she’d never really loved her ex, just got caught up in his charm and lies.
Then when he told her he’d always protect her she took that last step over the edge. Could she really live the military life? Deal with her husband being gone more than he was home, not being able to tell her where he was or what he did there? Well, that part she understood. Related to. In her line of work confidentiality was required. Just like Grey’s. That would never be an issue because she couldn’t tell him anymore about her work than he could his.
She’d had plenty of practice being alone. Her parents were killed in a car accident when she a teenager. She’d been old enough to take care of herself so she took control of her life at an early age. Planning out her life hadn’t been all that hard to do. Becoming a doctor had always been her dream. Making it come true had taken drive and sacrifice, but she didn’t regret it one bit. She loved her job. It kept her busy, even if she did work nine to five. Well, her days often turned into twelve hour days with patient delays, emergencies, paperwork. And if any of her patients were admitted to the hospital she spent time there, too.
So, the issue of being without her husband for long periods of time wouldn’t be ideal, but it was doable. Her work would keep her mind occupied so she wouldn’t go crazy wanting him home.
Nothing like jumping the gun. She didn’t even know if Grey shared her feelings. Last night had been amazing, incredible and the best sex of her life. Even now she wanted to go home and make love to him. Wanted to spend the rest of her life loving him.
Except for one problem. Carsen. If he’d chased her here there was no telling what he’d do once he discovered she and Grey were sleeping together.
Sobering, Reganne gripped the file in her hand, pausing outside the patient’s room. Somehow she had to convince Carsen to leave her alone. That he didn’t love her. She didn’t love him. And do it without risking Grey or anyone else’s lives.
Knocking on the door, she entered the patient room with a smile. Time to put her game face on and go to work. In a few short hours she’d be with Grey again. Until then, she had patients to take care of.
*
Grey picked Reganne up at five-thirty. She looked even better than she had this morning. He’d spent the day making arrangements with Donovan’s brothers to watch over her while he was away. They had readily agreed, as he knew they would. The Demarcos were one hell of a family.
“Hungry?” He pulled into traffic.
“For you.”
Caught off guard by her comment, he almost missed his turn. She laughed when he exceeded the speed limit to get her home fast. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her all day either.
At her house the door barely closed before he gathered her into his arms and kissed her. Her response drove him to press her against the wall, showing her how much he’d missed her. They kissed all the way up the stairs to her bedroom, clothes littering the staircase and floor as they made their way to the bed.
When he showed her the box of condoms he’d bought, she grinned and grabbed a handful, laughing as he tackled her onto the bed. For that moment nothing separated them. Not her ex, not his having to leave in the morning. Not the unspoken words either of them had yet to utter.
Their lovemaking was hot and fast the first time. Then slow and sensual the second. Grey took his time learning every inch of Reganne’s body. Discovering her sweet spots, committing her sighs and moans to memory. And when he finished loving her they lay together on top of the sheets in comfortable, satiated silence. He’d never been this content.
Reganne drifted off to sleep, her breathing light and even. He shifted, getting more comfortable before he let his eyes drift closed.
Only to wake to darkness and the sound of the safety being released on a gun right next to his ear. He went rigid, preparing to strike.
“Don’t even think about it,” a man’s voice spoke. Unfamiliar. But he knew who held a gun to his head.
Reganne’s ex.
Reganne gasped where she lay in the crook of his arm. “Carsen? Is that a gun?”
Grey clamped his arm around her, preventing her from sitting up. He didn’t know how stable her ex was and he wouldn’t put her in danger.
“Did you think I would let you get away with this?” Carsen spat. “You knew I came here for you. That I wanted you back.”
“Why don’t you put the gun down and we can talk about this,” Grey suggested.
“Shut up. You don’t get to speak.”
“Carsen, this has nothing to do with him. Please, put the gun down.” Her voice wavered.
Grey squeezed Reganne’s waist, silently telling her to be quiet and let him handle this. She pressed closer.
“This has everything to do with him,” Carsen shouted, the barrel of the gun digging into Grey’s temple. “You betrayed me. Again. And now you’re both going to pay.”
Before Carsen could get a shot off, Grey rolled Reganne off the bed and knocked the gun from her ex’s hand. It clattered to the floor. Grey tackled Carsen, taking him down to the floor. He punched the bastard for scaring Reganne. For everything he’d done to her in the past.
Only when Reganne grabbed his bloodied hand and begged him to stop did he fall back, breathing hard.
A light turned on and he saw Reganne’s white face, wide eyes.
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry. C’mere.”
She ran to him, burying her head in his shoulder. This time the tears did fall. He regretted losing his temper, but damn it, he’d wanted to kill the bastard for what he’d done, not scare her.
“He was going to kill you,” she said into his chest. “I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
Grey stroked her hair. “I’m fine. Nothing happened, baby.”
Her head bobbed.
“I’m going to call the police. You go get
dressed and wait for me downstairs, can you do that?”
She pulled herself together, leaning back and wiping her eyes. “Yes.”
He kissed her then nudged her to get moving. She dressed quickly, avoiding looking at the bloody man on the floor. When she went downstairs, he slipped into his clothes, found one of Reganne’s belts and secured Carsen’s hands behind his back while calling 911.
Carsen came awake just as he tightened the belt. “What the hell? Let me go.” He fought the bonds, but they held tight.
Grey hauled him to his feet, slamming him into the wall and getting in his face. “This is how this is going to go.” His voice had gone deadly quiet. “You’re going to confess to everything you’ve ever done to Reganne and you’re never going to contact her again or I’ll make you regret it. Am I making myself clear?”
Carsen glared at him. “I could have you brought up on charges for assault.”
“I dare you.”
Carsen leaned back, trying to get away from the look in Grey’s eyes. “I’m an esteemed surgeon. They won’t believe I did that stuff to Reganne.”
“But you did do it, didn’t you? You stalked her, then put her and one of her residents in the hospital when you thought they were having an affair. Then you tracked her here and started the process all over again. Isn’t that how it went, Carsen?”
“You know nothing.”
“I know you just pointed a gun to my head and threatened our lives.”
That worked. Carsen attacked.
“She’s mine. I followed her half-way across the country so we can be together. Only to find her shacking up with you. You’d do the same if the woman you loved betrayed you.”
“But she didn’t betray you. She told you to leave her alone. Why didn’t you do that?”
“Because we’re meant for each other. She just doesn’t know it anymore. I came here to remind her and you got in the way!”
Grey shoved him against the wall when he tried to dodge him. “She doesn’t love you. Time to leave her alone.”
“Never. I won’t let her go.”
“There’s only one way out, isn’t there?” Grey taunted.
